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Will your work survive according to 1Corinthians 3:9-16?
What is 1Cor 3:13 warning us about? A day when our ministry will be tested by fire? What does it mean that our gold ministry will last, while our straw ministry will burn? What is it all referring to? Not… Continue reading
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When Goal Driven Ministry doesn’t make sense
Will your work survive according to 1Cor 3? View the most recent article Recently Lionel Windsor wrote on the necessity to ‘Watch out’ as we use ‘Secular Wisdom to Achieve Ministry Goals’. But it left me frustrated for several reasons.… Continue reading
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Paul wasn’t worried about being ‘eloquent’
I think some of our translations have done us a disservice in 1Cor 1:17 and 2:1-15 by using terms like eloquence which shift the focus of Paul’s argument from the content of his message to the method in which he… Continue reading
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Second Council of Erina 2023 – Impassibility
Some personal thoughts coming out of the second ‘Trinity Symposium’ at EV Church. Similar to last time, these are my personal reflections – not a summary of what was presented or discussed. It was a great discussion, and I absolutely… Continue reading
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Data, trends & prayers
I’m often asked for examples or templates of what our church and staff set as goals and targets. I’m always hesitant to provide this because it needs to be understood in light of a certain theological and philosophical framework. First,… Continue reading
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ChatGPT and our cry for help
If you’re in pastoral ministry, you might know the Pastor’s prayer; with a Sunday sermon looming and more jobs to do that humanly possible, the pastor sits in front of his screen and prays, “Lord, help. Please help.” There is… Continue reading
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Is ChatGPT a Ministry Tool?
Yes. The big question is how can we use it for ministry, and to what extent should we use it? Here’s some meaningful ways you could use it right now: 1. Ministry Event Planning Go to ChatGPT and type in… Continue reading
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The Council of Erina 2022
Yesterday I was privileged to attend ‘The Trinity Symposium’ held at EV Church. I thought I’d try and distill some of what (I think) was being said here. (And please, the “Council of Erina” thing is just a joke!!) It’s… Continue reading
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Making sense of the triune God
There’s a lovely, yet complex, simplicity to the Christian doctrine of God as trinity; There is one divine nature (being), and there are three divine persons; the Father, the Son and the Spirit. One being (not three beings). Three persons… Continue reading
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Church online through the one who promised, “I am with you always”
Jesus’ last words in Matthew 28 are an amazing comfort… Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the… Continue reading
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Why people won’t watch your ‘online church’…
Yes… we all agree this whole COVID-19 lockdown provides a unique opportunity for gospel work. Jesus is supreme, and nothing will hold back his kingdom growing. I deeply believe people will come to faith and grow in their faith during… Continue reading
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People don’t ‘do’ MTS…
This is a turn of phrase I’m going to need to change in myself. We so often talk about people ‘doing MTS’… by which we mean they’re doing a 2 year Ministry Apprenticeship. But MTS is something slightly different. MTS… Continue reading
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What type of purpose drives your delegation?
An important part of all delegation is setting a clear purpose. Why is this thing worth doing? Why is it worth your time and effort? What are you trying to achieve by the grace of God? It’s worth recognising there… Continue reading
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Taking notes during big talks
While some people are natural note takers, others think they can’t do it… they’ll claim it’s hard or even distracting and unhelpful. But want to suggest it’s a habit worth learning. And I want to suggest a way to get… Continue reading
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The price Jesus paid does not mean you’re worth that much to God.
Have you heard something like this… Look at the price God paid for you; His own son! God wouldn’t sacrifice his son for something worthless would he?! Therefore we must be immensely valuable to God! The crux of the idea… Continue reading
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Valuable feedback is specific feedback
The very same pastors who feel sceptical when people say, “that was a lovely sermon”, are often guilty of offering the same vague feedback to others. Valuable feedback is specific feedback. Whether it’s positive feedback or negative is be site… Continue reading
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Refuelling stations during sermons
There’s a road safety principle that drivers should take a break every 2 hours. You could drive for longer, but the quality of your driving and your awareness will get worse. Expecting people to listen to sermons is much the same,… Continue reading
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A great opportunity is not God’s calling
It’s a story you’ll hear too often… I’ve been offered this great opportunity; It must be God. They’ve offered me a promotion; It must be God. They’ve asked me to go overseas for a contract; It must be God. How… Continue reading
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The purpose of an Executive Pastor
This is probably the clearest I’ve got it so far, and I’ve been thinking about this for a while. The purpose of an Executive Pastor is to: Help the Team Leader ‘lead’. Support the Team as it ‘teams’. Keep gospel… Continue reading
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The best feedback you can get… “it seemed a bit weird”
Like the tip of an ice-berg, the feedback that you (or something you did) seemed a “bit weird” is some of the best feedback you can get. Why? Because it reveals that you and your listener were on a very… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 